PALO ALTO, CA, March 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a leading provider of commercial satellites, today announced that it
has been selected by Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) to build what will be the world's highest capacity
broadband satellite—JUPITER 2/EchoStar XIX. The new Ka-band satellite
will help meet the growing demand for HughesNet® Gen4 high-speed satellite Internet service in North America, with 50
percent more capacity than EchoStar XVII, also known as JUPITER 1,
which was launched in July 2012.

"Hughes is a pioneer in providing satellite broadband to the consumer
market and there is an excellent spirit of teamwork between our
companies," said John Celli, president of SSL. "JUPITER 2/EchoStar XIX will be the highest capacity
broadband satellite ever built, as a result of technology advances from
both our companies."

JUPITER 2/EchoStar XIX is a large, multi-spot beam Ka-band satellite
based on the highly reliable SSL 1300 space-proven platform, which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of
applications and technology advances. SSL is the leader in building
high-throughput broadband satellites with four decades of Ka-band
experience. The satellite is designed to provide service for 15 years
or longer and is planned to be launched in mid-2016.

"We are very glad to once again work with SSL's innovative use of
spotbeam technology to leapfrog prior capabilities," said Pradman Kaul, president of Hughes. "EchoStar XVII is performing very well on orbit
and record growth of our HughesNet Gen4 high-speed Internet service has
given us the confidence that we need for continued fleet expansion."

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world's leading provider of
satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network
technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and
governments globally. HughesNet is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet
service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To
date, Hughes has shipped more than 3.3 million systems to customers in
over 100 countries, representing over 50 percent market share.
Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA,
Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly
owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier
global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For
additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

About SSL

SSL, a subsidiary of MDA, has a long history of delivering reliable
satellites and spacecraft systems for commercial and government
customers around the world. As the world's leading provider of
commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite
operators to provide spacecraft for a broad range of services including
television and radio distribution, digital audio radio, broadband
Internet, and mobile communications. Billions of people around the
world depend on SSL satellites every day. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.

About MDA

MDA is a global communications and information company providing
operational solutions to commercial and government organizations
worldwide.

MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat
business potential. In addition, the Company conducts a significant
amount of advanced technology development.

MDA's well-established global customer base is served by more than 4,500
employees operating from 11 offices located in the United States,
Canada, and internationally.

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.'s (MDA) common shares trade
under the symbol TSX:MDA.

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information,
which reflect the current view of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates
Ltd. and its subsidiaries (collectively "MDA" or the "Company") with
respect to future events and financial performance. When used in this
news release, the words "believes", "expects", "plans", "may", "will",
"would", "could", "should", "anticipates", "estimates", "project",
"intend" or "outlook" or other variations of these words or other
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements
and information. Actual results may differ materially from the
expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as
a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Known risks and
uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with
operating satellites and providing satellite services, including
satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit
failures or impaired satellite performance; risks associated with
satellite manufacturing, including competition, cyclicality of MDA's
end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers,
performance of suppliers and management of MDA's factory and personnel;
risk associated with financial factors such as volatility in exchange
rates, increases in interest rates, restrictions on access to capital,
and swings in global financial markets; risks associated with domestic
and foreign government regulation, including export controls and
economic sanctions; and other risks, including litigation. The
foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information
contained in this news release reflects MDA's beliefs, assumptions,
intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release.
Except as required by law, MDA disclaims any obligation or undertaking
to update or revise the information herein.

For additional information with respect to certain of these risks or
factors, plus additional risks or factors, reference should be made to
the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time
with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which are available
online under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.mdacorporation.com.

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or content of this release.